Joseph Anthony Rott, 74, of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, died suddenly Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at the home of his sister and brother-in-law in Grand Island.

Joseph Anthony Rott entered this great world at the homestead in Garfield County to Bohumil and Hope Rott on September 15, 1941. He was baptized in the Catholic faith.

As a young child, the family moved to Spalding, NE. Joe was involved in Scouting and had a great passion for nature and exploring. He earned the Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. Joe made the delivering of the Omaha World Herald paper as a great opportunity to befriend all the elderly in the town. This trait he carried over to his working in the family West End Meat Market. Joe graduated from Spalding Academy with the class of 1960. After graduation, Joe traveled the roads to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln East Campus. He graduated with a degree in Animal Science in 1964. Joe learned to speak Portuguese fluently before entering the Peace Corps. He entered the Peace Corps and did four years of service in Brazil.

Joe met his true love Lia. They were united in marriage in Brazil. Over the years they have lived in both countries: The United States and Brazil. To this union were born two sons, Dennis and Bryan. Joe with his wife Lia returned to Lincoln after serving his time in the Peace Corps. He worked at the State House where he worked with the underprivileged people for about ten years. Joe started his gemstone business as a hobby while working at the State House.

According to a dear friend, Charles Mark, he attributes Joe to be the ultimate Gem Dealer- the world was his home- and Joe was comfortable any place. In the 1980s, Joe took three Thai workers to Belo Horizonte and started a cutting factory. They taught the people about precision cutting, faceting, and calibrating. It was Revolutionary… and it was Joe Rott who created and saw this through. He had been in the stone business since flying from the States to Brazil and claiming himself as a man with two countries. His family has lived in Brazil from this time.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Lia; two sons, Bryan and Dennis (Vera); two precious, darling granddaughters, Giovanna and Victoria all of Brazil; brothers, Francis (Betty) of Pasadena, MD, and Robert "Bob" o Grand Island; sisters, Annette (Richard) Nabity, Carol K. Kusek, Bonnie (Lonnie) Hummel, Christine Rott all of Grand Island, Janet (Jack) Bridger of Crete, NE, Jean (Lenny) Parachini of Fullerton, NE, Mary (Richard) Buettner of Columbus, NE; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends world-wide.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bohumil and Hope Rott; sister, Betty; brothers, Jerry "Buda", Andrew, and baby bother Martin John.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spalding with dinner to follow in the parish hall. Visitation with family present will be 6-7 PM Friday with a wake service at 7:00 at the church. There will be a Brazilian Celebration of Life Service in Brazil where he will then be laid to rest.

Memorials may be directed to: Joseph A. Rott Memorial
4232 Penn. Ave
Grand Island, NE 68803